Imagine first-year and sophomore students interviewing faculty members associated with their major, discussing possible research projects and sharing common passions. Picture these students attending student organizational meetings, learning about services available to them, assessing their “fit” for their major, and reflecting upon their professional goals. These are some outcomes that faculty in the special education program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) envisioned when we developed the one-credit Introduction to the Major course four years ago.

The Indispensable Role of Faculty in Higher Education
If a university were a quilt, the faculty would be the threads holding the fabric together. But despite their essential role, faculty often find themselves undervalued and underappreciated. This article